University of Goroka

This was one of the recommendations proposed by the UOG Investigation Committee that conducted a probe into the conflict among students in June. 

The recommendations were released in a report presented to the UOG Council to implement.

The investigation committee proposed that a proper security manual is developed and regular security training is encouraged for security personnel.

The committee chairman and UOG Council member, Lawrence Titimur, stated that a professional manager needs to be recruited to look after the security needs for the university.

UOG Vice Chancellor Professor Musawe Sinebare assured that the university management will do its best to address the problems identified and implement the solutions recommended in the report.

The report highlights about eight recommendations to take into consideration.

These include addressing and improving security, student conduct and discipline, dialogue between OHE and university, student admissions, regional groups, student welfare, Campus relocation, dealings with landowners and police intervention.    

The University needs K8.5m to cover for students’ meals, transportation cost for teaching practice and for maintenance of facilities that were damaged during the conflict in June.

As per the National Executive Council decision, the total recovery cost for all universities is about K63 million. 

In the breakup, the PNG University of Technology will be given K40m, University of PNG K12m, Office of Higher Education K3m and UOG K8.

So far, UPNG has received K1m and Unitech will be presented K1m on Wednesday.

UOG completed its one week re-registration of students to continue its semester one programs with 96 percent of students already completing the formalities to continue their education.

UOG Chancellor Joseph Sukwianomb told Loop PNG this morning that at close of registration on Friday 3,225 students out of the university students’ population of 3, 500 have already re-registered.   

He added late re-registration will be accepted.

Sukwianomb said students counseling started a month ago with the assistance from churches.

“We are ready to assist the University facilitate reconciliation, we cannot do much as the University has its own law,” Tato said.

Following the student fight at the campus last week, were 44 students were injured and treated,  with the UOG Academic Senate suspending classes for two weeks giving time for students to recover.      

“The situation happened within the campus, I thank Police for maintaining the situation when it spilled over to the main town,” Tato said.

“We offer our sympathy to the students who were affected because of what has happen.”

This followed fighting by students who opposed and supported the ongoing boycott of classes, for Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to set aside.

UOG Chancellor Joseph Sukwianomb told Loop PNG, that “this is in line with the decision of the (academic) senate to have two weeks’ break”.

“They (students) will come back to continue with their programs after the two weeks, (because) we are extending the study break and examination weeks.

Some students say the fight is not related to UPNG protest.

A Goroka student was attacked and is alleged to have been wounded by some Hagen students and was admitted at Goroka hospital.

The Hagen students paid K1, 000 compensation on Sunday.

But some Goroka students were not satisfied.

They combined with Chimbu students with support from outside elements and attacked Hagen and Wabag students in the morning.

The crowd from market that ran to UOG gate and back to town in the morning were opportunists.

Meanwhile many students have left the Campus.

However, according to the executive office of the university Pascalis Channel Mape, all have been stabilised but three of them are still under close monitoring from the doctors.

He said shops, offices and schools around the Goroka town area has also been closed due to the students’ riot.

It was reported that there was disagreement between the Chimbu-Goroka and Western Highlands-Enga students on weather In-service students should resume lectures or join the rest and boycott classes in support of UPNG students.

“The situation got out of hand, yesterday and today,” UOG Chancellor Joseph Sukwianomb told Loop PNG this morning.  

He cannot confirm the number of students injured but said the casualities are from both sides was a result of stones being thrown and fired from slight shots and also spears from bows and arrows.  

 “A number of students have been injured and taken to the hospital,” Sukwianomb said.

“We have called Police in just now to, first stop the fight and evacuate the injured students.

Reliable sources at the University of Goroka campus told Loop PNG that the fight broke among the faction of Chimbu/Goroka students and the Western Highlands/Enga students.

The source who wanted to remain unanimous because of safety reasons said the disagreement between the students started on Saturday where students attending their inservice training agreed to resume classes today but this did not go down well with other students.

Currently, the main gate at the campus is closed as people are gathering at the gates.